Research article summary (published 28 Feb 2008):

University students' emotions, interest and activities in a web-based learning environment.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Within academic settings, students experience varied emotions and interest towards learning. Although both emotions and interest can increase students' likelihood to engage in traditional learning, little is known about the influence of emotions and interest in learning activities in a web-based learning environment (WBLE). AIMS: This study examined how emotions experienced while using a WBLE, students' interest towards the course topic and interest towards web-based learning are associated with collaborative visible and non-collaborative invisible activities and 'lurking' in the WBLE. SAMPLE: Participants were 99 Finnish university students from five web-based courses. METHODS: All the students enrolled in the courses filled out pre- and post-test questionnaires of interest, and repeatedly completed an on-line questionnaire on emotions experienced while using the WBLE during the courses. RESULTS: The fluctuation of emotional reactions was positively associated with both visible collaborative and invisible non-collaborative activities in the WBLE. Further, interest towards the web-based learning was positively associated with invisible activity. The results also demonstrated that students not actively participating in the collaborative activities (i.e. lurkers) had more negative emotional experiences during the courses than other students. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the distinct impacts that emotions and interest have on different web-based learning activities and that they should be considered when designing web-based courses.

Author information

Author/s: Nummenmaa, Minna (M); Nummenmaa, Lauri (L);

Affiliation: Educational Technology Unit, University of Turku, Finland. mielvu(-atsign-)utu.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: The British journal of educational psychology (Br J Educ Psychol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Mar; vol 78 (issue Pt 1) : pp 163-78

Dates: Created 2008/02/13; Completed 2008/04/21;

PMID: 17535514, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Affect Attitude Female Humans Internet Learning

Learning Male Motivation Questionnaires Social Environment Students - psychology Universities

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